Top SUVs & Crossovers: LA Auto Show - Video

A wide array of new SUVs and crossovers made their debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. They come in all shapes and sizes, but this year, the focus is mostly on family utility rather than rock crawling ability. We think these were the top SUVs and crossovers in LA.

MINI debuted its Paceman, which is essentially a 2-door coupe version of the Countryman four-door crossover. While it may have just two doors, it still has plenty of room for four adults.

There's also the 2014 Subaru Forester, which fits between the new XV Crosstrek, but below the Outback. The new Forester has been completely redesigned with a bolder, sportier exterior, a nicer interior and a whole new engine and transmission.

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is probably the clearest transition from traditional SUV to efficient crossover at this year's show. What was once a rugged, truck-based SUV has become a family-hauler built on a car platform. Not only is it more curvaceous than past Pathfinders, but it also now features a three-row, seven-passenger interior.

Toyota showed its 2014 RAV4 for the first time in LA, too. The totally-redesigned RAV4 drops its V6 engine and third-row options for a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a much nicer interior.

Finally, the 2014 Kia Sorento receives a facelift for the coming model year. The exterior and interior look similar to past models, but the design has been refined and the engine is all-new for this vehicle. The new 3.3-liter V6 produces 290 horsepower and is standard on the SX, but optional on LX and EX models.

We picked these as the top SUVs and crossovers from the LA Auto Show. What were your favorites? Tell us in the comments below.

Brian Moody
heads up the AutoTrader.com editorial team. An automotive writer and presenter for more than 12 years, he's contributed to such media outlets as CNBC, Edmunds.com, Fox Business, Speed TV and The Today Show.